Perth to host NRL opening weekend double-header

Proudly supported by the State Government through Tourism WA to help boost visitation

Events expected to deliver a strong economic boost to help create more jobs

Thousands of people are expected to travel to Perth for two matches of the opening weekend of the 2018 National Rugby League premiership season.

On Saturday March 10, 2018, the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs will play back-to-back against their yet-to-be-announced round one opponents.

The double-header, to date the first of the confirmed sporting events at Perth Stadium, is the final part of a three-package NRL sponsorship deal. The other two events are a Rugby League World Cup double-header at nib Stadium on November 12 this year and the much anticipated game two of the State of Origin series at Perth Stadium in 2019.

The 2018 NRL round one double-header is conservatively expected to attract between 40,000 and 45,000 people, about 3,000 from interstate, with an overall economic contribution to Western Australia of $2.25 million.

Tickets are available to Bulldogs and Rabbitohs' club members from tomorrow (August 29), with tickets on sale to the general public on Wednesday (August 30).

Construction of Perth Stadium is nearing completion and is on schedule to open in early 2018.